Bain is grabbing his big chance with both hands

THIS time last year, Scott Bain found himself relegated to third-choice goalkeeper at Celtic.

Set against that demoralising g career episode p he finds it impossible to grumble mble about his current status as s the last line of an under-fire re

Parkhead defence.

Bain (right) conceded four times to Sparta

Prague in midweek as

Celtic slumped to the bottom of the Europa

League’s Group H.

The 28-year-old was s drafted back into Neil eil

Lennon’s team following i an ij injury t to th the club’s unconvincing £5million signing Vasilis Barkas.

A year on from dropping below Fraser Forster and Craig Gordon in the pecking order, he’s happy to be in the firing line again.

‘This is not tough,’ he insisted. ‘It’s tougher when you’re out of the squad and not even on the bench or involved at all. You realise that football is a fickle game. And in those moments, you realise who’s there in your corner backing you up.

‘It’s a case of mentally being strong and realising what you need to change and get better at. I wouldn’t say I feel like No1. But I feel physically and mentally that I’m in a better place.’

Released by Aberdeen as a youngster and then a full-time labourer as he rebuilt his career under Paul Hartley at Alloa, Bain has a very real sense of perspective.

‘Everyone has their own journey or path,’ he continued. ‘To be told you’re not good enough and you’re left hanging about with no skills or qualities — that’s tough.

‘I’ve been there, working shifts and then heading to training at night. And I had a lot of luck with Paul Hartley getting the job at Alloa. ‘I appreciate everything I’ve got here. But then I look at someone like James Forrest who’s been in the limelight as a Celtic player since he was 17. ‘I haven’t played in a game for Celtic where there isn’t pressure to win, it’s just built into the fabric of this club. James has had to deal with pressure for that length of time, which tells you a great deal about his character.’

THE Celtic Foundation has marked Remembrance Sunday with a £10,000 donation to Poppyscotland.

The club’s money will be used primarily to support the ‘Bud’ education project — an interactive learning space that travels to schools and events round Scotland on an 18-tonne truck.